Here are some examples of the how we are promoting equality in the workplace:
Trustwide Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group
We have a vibrant Trust-wide Equality Diversity and Inclusion Group. This group supports the organisation to be the best Trust for all staff to work in, and also recognises that diversity in our teams and services improves creativity, quality and performance. That is why we value staff from a range of diverse backgrounds. This helps to improve the trust, confidence, inclusion and respect between staff, and also improves engagement between us and our service users and carers, helping to prevent anyone from being excluded.
Staff Equality Networks
Supporting the work of the Trust-wide Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group, we have very active and committed staff networks. These include:
- Race Equality Advisory Network
- LGBTQ+ Network
- Disability Network
- Gender Equality Network
- Faith and Spirituality Network
We are also encouraging more staff networks and locality-based support groups to be developed so we hear the voices of our diverse workforce. These networks and support groups are a great way to act on suggestions and recommendations to improve equality, diversity and inclusion, both at local and Trust-wide level.
National Recognition
We are working hard to be the best in our equality, diversity and inclusion work, and are proud to receive the Talent, Inclusion and Diversity Evaluation (TIDEmark) Gold award for 2023.
Presented by the Employers' Network on Equality & Inclusion ('enei'), the TIDEmark award is an assessment which helps us to measure our approach and progress on diversity and inclusion in several areas, including how we are involving staff in our inclusion work.
For the sixth year in a row, our Trust features in the 'Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers' list, ranked 10th in 2023. This is our highest ranking yet and a huge achievement climbing 22 places in the rankings from 32 in 2022.
The list includes organisations across different industries in the UK who are committed to promoting inclusion in the workplace for staff across all ‘protected characteristics’.
Read more about the Inclusive Top 50 Uk Employers award.
Creating equality of opportunity for all
Providing equality of opportunity for all means that our staff can feel valued and give their best. Our Trust is:
a certified Disability Confident Employer. This means we are committed to employing disabled people and also providing a guaranteed interview if a disabled job applicant meets the minimum criteria when applying for a job.
signed up to the ‘Mindful Employer’ charter. This supports people with a mental health condition to find or remain in employment, and improves the working lives of our staff.
a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant pledge. This means that we will support the employment of veterans young and old, along with their spouses, partners and members of the Reserve forces.
- supporting Stonewall because we want to ensure that we have an inclusive, equal and inspiring environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) members of staff, and by doing this we want to create a real change for the better for LGBT colleagues. Find out more on the Stonewall website.
